In October, DC will launch the Absolute Universe, with reinvented versions of the classic DC superheroes, while continuing the standard continuity in its core titles.
The launch will begin with the single-issue event DC All In Special #1, written by Scott Snyder and Joshua Williamson, which follows up the Absolute Power event (see “DC Details ‘Absolute Power’ Event“) with a new conflict between the DC superheroes and the villain Darkseid. The 64-page one-shot is formatted as a flipbook, telling the story from Superman’s point of view in one half, with art by Daniel Sampere, and from Darkseid’s perspective on the other side, with art by Wes Craig. It will be released on October 2, 2024.
The special also introduces the Absolute Universe, helmed by Scott Snyder, in which the iconic DC characters come of age without the advantages they were given in the original continuity. The Absolute Universe will initially comprise three series:
- Absolute Batman #1, by Snyder and artist Nick Dragotta, will reimagine Batman without his wealth, his mansion, and his butler. The first issue will be released on October 9.
- Absolute Wonder Woman #1, by Kelly Thompson and Hadyden Sherman, presents the Amazon warrior in a new context, without her home island, her sisterhood, or her mission to spread peace. This series will launch on October 23.
- Absolute Superman #1 by Jason Aaron and Rafa Sandoval strips out some key pieces of the Superman mythos, including his family and his Fortress of Solitude and will debut on November 6.
“The creation of the Absolute Universe is how I always imagined coming back to DC, and DC All In will be a great jumping-on point for new readers as well as lapsed fans to discover new stories to love and the chance to explore the new directions in store for DC’s core series lineup,” Snyder said in a statement accompanying the announcement.
In a video on the DC YouTube channel, Williamson and Snyder discussed All In and Snyder emphasized that it is an initiative, not an event but “a seismic, tectonic moment at the company that redefines it and tells one big story,” creating opportunities for creators to tell a variety of new stories.
The Absolute Universe will co-exist alongside DC’s core titles, all of which will have new story arcs. Among them:
- Batman #153-154, by Chip Zdarsky, Jorge Jiménez, and Carmine DiGiandomenico, will kick off “The Dying City,” with an appearance by the Riddler and a new superhero, Commander Star. The comic will be released twice in October, on October 2 and 16.
- Detective Comics #1090 gets a new creative team, Tom Taylor and Mikel Janín, and a new story arc that goes back to the murder of Bruce Wayne’s parents with ramifications that will permanently change the world of Batman. Release date is October 23.
- Action Comics will go weekly in October with two stories, “Death of the Phantom Zone,” a followup to Absolute Power, by Mark Waid and Clayton Henry, and “Supergirl: Univeres End, by Mariko Tamaki and Skylar Partridge. Issues #1070-1073 will be released on October 9, 16, 23, and 30.
- Superman #19 brings in Dan Mora to join Williamson in a new story arc that stems directly from Absolute Power; it will be released on October 23.
- Wonder Woman #14, by Tom King and Daniel Sampere, brings new challenges for Diana; release date is October 16.
- Green Arrow #350 reverts to its legacy numbering for this oversized milestone issue that includes both the final episode of Williamson’s run on the story and the first chapter of a new arc by writer Chris Condon and artist Montos. This comic will be released on October 23.
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Source: ICv2
